2. The NXT is the brain of a MINDSTORMS® robot. It’s an intelligent, computer-controlled LEGO® brick that lets a MINDSTORMS robot come alive and perform different operations. THE NXT

3. USB port Connect a USB cable to the USB port and download programs from your computer to the NXT. Loudspeaker Make a program with real sounds and listen to them when you run the program. Sensor ports The NXT has four input ports for attaching sensors - Ports 1, 2, 3 and 4. Motor ports The NXT has three output ports for attaching motors - Ports A, B and C

4. NXT Buttons Orange button : On/Enter /Run Light grey arrows: Used for moving left and right in the NXT menu Dark grey button: Clear/Go back NXT Display Your NXT comes with many display features - see the MINDSTORMS NXT Users Guide that comes with your NXT kit for specific information on display icons and options

5. The Touch Sensor gives your robot a sense of touch. The Touch Sensor detects when it is being pressed by something and when it is released again. The Touch Sensor

6. The Sound Sensor makes your robot hear! The Sound Sensor can detect both decibels [dB] and adjusted decibel [dBA]. A Decibel is a measurement of sound pressure. The Sound Sensor

7. The Light Sensor The Light Sensor is one of the two sensors that give your robot vision [The Ultrasonic Sensor is the other]. The Light Sensor enables your robot to distinguish between light and dark. It can read the light intensity in a room and measure the light intensity of colored surfaces.

8. The Ultrasonic sensor The Ultrasonic Sensor is one of the two sensors that give your robot vision [The Light Sensor is the other]. The Ultrasonic Sensor enables your robot to see and detect objects. You can also use it to make your robot avoid obstacles, sense and measure distance, and detect movement. The Ultrasonic Sensor measures distance in centimeters and in inches. It is able to measure distances from 0 to 255 centimeters with a precision of +/- 3 cm.

9. Servo Motors The three Servo Motors give your robot the ability to move. If you use the Move block in the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT software to program your motors, the two motors will automatically synchronize, so that your robot will move in a straight line. Built-in Rotation Sensor Each motor has a built-in Rotation Sensor. This lets your control your robot’s movements precisely. The Rotation Sensor measures motor rotations in degrees or full rotations [accuracy of +/- one degree]. One rotation is equal to 360 degrees, so if you set a motor to turn 180 degrees, its output shaft will make half a turn. The built-in Rotation Sensor in each motor also lets you set different speeds for your motors [by setting different power parameters in the software]. Try running the motors at different speeds.

10. Mindstorms NXT software The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT software enables you to program your NXT robotic invention and upload your programs to the NXT via USB or Bluetooth connectivity. The software comes with building instructions and programming guides to easily begin constructing and programming with MINDSTORMS NXT.